My letter to Halfords Autocentre and their reply --------------------------- I have just had my Cambelt replaced by a local independent mechanic. On completing the work he phoned to tell me that on the Cambelt he was replacing “the diesel injection pump was 1 tooth out on the timing belt”. This of course means nothing to me but presumably does to you. This previous Cambelt was fitted by Halfords Autocentre Canterbury in August 2011 (see enclosed documentation). Various concerns arise. My car is now a lot quieter than it has been for years, and is performing better. My mechanic says he always thought the car was noisy, even for a diesel, and is professionally delighted (as I am) that it is running so much more quietly and smoothly. Which brings me to my concerns. In retrospect it is clear to me that in 2011 your trained mechanics at Autocentre Canterbury would have been aware that my car was not running as it should after fitting the Cambelt; and further they: 1) Decided against informing me at the time that the belt had been incorrectly fitted, presumably to save themselves the time and effort of having to refit it correctly. 2) Assumed (correctly) that I would not be confident in judging for myself that it had been done incorrectly. 3) And further, presumably, felt that if I had raised concerns at the time they would be able to brush my concerns off, they being the “experts” and me just being a motorist. It is of some relief that my mechanic informs me that, apart from some noisy years of underperformance, no serious damage to the car has occurred. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I am sure you will appreciate due to the length of time elapsed I cannot investigate this matter in any great depth, we no longer hold our internal paperwork additionally the technician no longer works for our company. However, I can see from our records that you attended our Canterbury Autocentre 4 times since the cam belt replacement in 2011. I have checked these invoices and there is no mention of a problem with the running of you vehicle. I can assure you that had you raised concerns these would have been fully investigated under the terms and conditions of our National Guarantee and any remedial work undertaken at that time. I really am very sorry that you feel my colleagues at Canterbury have not acted honestly and professionally and that their workmanship was not to the standard we expect.